Families

The ninth annual Dog Ears Bookstore Gala will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, South Buffalo. This year’s theme is “Buffalo’s Small Plate Debate,” and approximately 25 amazing local restaurants will be on hand to compete for the title of “Best Appetizers in Western New York!”

Providing musical entertainment will be the Charlie O’Neill Unplugged Club, the Grace Stumberg Band and Jay McDonnell. Beer and wine will be included in the ticket price, including a special beer-tasting event by Certo Brothers Distributing. Judging the Small Plate Debate will be South District Councilman Christopher Scanlon, WGRZ-TV personalities Kevin O’Neill and Maryalice Demler, and Buffalo Bills great Steve Tasker.

The Church of the Annunciation, 7580 Clinton St., Elma, will host a concert featuring the Ladies First Jazz Big Band at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6.

The Ladies First Jazz Big Band is a 16-piece all-female group formed by bassist Jennifer May. The band has roots as a six-piece ensemble that started in 1994. Ten of its current members will be performing at the Church of the Annunciation.

The band has performed from Jamestown to Rochester, including concert venues such as the Tralf Music Hall and Riviera Theatre, and events including the M&T Noontime Summer Concert Series, Canal Fest and Taste of Buffalo.

A pre-concert event will take place in Annunciation’s Selbert Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m. May 6. Guests are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks.

Located in East Aurora, the Rural Outreach Center (ROC) provides numerous programs that help people help themselves. These programs include support groups for adults, children’s initiatives such as the successful snack pack and school reading readiness programs, and much more.

“Our outreach is expanding every day to enable us to meet the needs of more participants,” said ROC Program Director Sue Giovino. “This could not be possible without the myriad of volunteers that already offer their time, talents and hearts to the ROC, but we’re requesting more volunteer support so we can do even more in Western New York’s rural communities.”

The Church of the Annunciation, 7580 Clinton St., Elma, will host singer and songwriter Chris Wilson for a songs of faith concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 28.

A New York native, Wilson has gained celebrity status for his vocally driven songwriting and passionate live performances. His career brought him to Los Angeles for a brand new MTV show called “The Cut,” where he became one of only 10 artists to win their way to the finals from a field of 160 competitors and over 10,000 hopefuls from around the world. Wilson went on to win MTV’s Viewers Choice Award for his performance in the finals.

As the weather warms up, so does tour season in Western New York! Following is a listing of Explore Buffalo tours scheduled during the month of April.

AMERICAN MASTERSApril 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • 10 a.m.Meet: Western New York Book Arts Center, 468 Washington St., Buffalo, corner of Washington and Mohawk streets. Two-hour metered parking is available on surrounding streets, and the Mohawk Parking Ramp is on the opposite corner. The Lafayette Square Station of the Metro Rail is around the corner on Main Street.Cost: General $15, Student $5, Explorer Pass Holders FREE

Pet Connection Programs Inc., a maternity and special care animal shelter located in Marilla, will host an indoor yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the Variety Club Banquet Hall, 6114 Broadway, Lancaster. For every $5 spent at the yard sale, shoppers will receive a chance to win one of many wonderful prizes.

A donation drop-off will take place at the yard sale location from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 5. Items should be new or gently used; please, no electronics, broken, dirty or rusty items.

The Strong Start Early Learning Academy at the Church of the Annunciation will host an open house from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22 at the school, located at 7580 Clinton St., Elma.

For the 2017-18 school year, Annunciation will again offer a two-day Pre-K3 program from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and a three-day program Tuesday through Thursday. The Pre-K4/5 program will continue to be offered from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Annunciation also offers a “Mommy & Me” program for children 18 months to 3 years from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays.